METROPOLITAN FIRE BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253, 5 August 1932, Page 10

METROPOLITAN FIRE BOARD

In the matter of a metropolitan fire board, all local authorities concerned are bound to give the most careful consideration to its financial aspect, but always with due regard to the standard-of fire protection which is required. The Mount Eden Borough Council has rejected the proposal, but in the general interest it is to be hoped that the decision is not final. The district now has a Fire Board, and it is riatural that local sentiment should favour its functioning, particularly when amalgamation would increase the amount of borough contribution. It is natural also that there should be reluctance to deprive the fire brigade of any part of its local identity. But there is a much larger issue—that of adequate fire protection—and the question for Mount Eden is whether it can be provided by the local board at a cost substantially lower than that under metropolitan control. Without casting any aspersions upon suburban authorities it can be asserted that no small board can possibly deal with fire dangers as comprehensively as a largo one, which is in a position to rush engines with a large body of trained men to any point in an emergency. It is a question whether, in the past, Mount Eden would have been satisfied with its plant and the strength of its brigade had the surrounding city stations not been a guarantee that their aid would have been forthcoming in the event of a fire getting out of control. If Mount

Eden . remains undei" a separate authority it is obvious that the present cost will be increased. Mr. Nagle states that the improvements advocated by the inspector of fire brigades would raise the borough contribution from £672 to £972. Under the metropolitan scheme it would be £1278. Thus tho question of finance boils down to a matter of £3OO a year in one of the largest boroughs of New Zealand, in the closely-built areas of which a lire might destroy property worth many times that amount in a few minutes. It is no time for waste or extravagance, but the financial argument of Mount Eden's case, in view of the size of the suburb and the risk involved, is not impressive. There is not the slightest doubt that if the city stations did not give Mount Eden an added sense of security against a serious conflagration, the cost of its fire service would have to be increased very considerably. There is, therefore, abundant justification for urging a reconsideration of the question. If the dour is not closed there may be a chance of arranging for easier terms.